Sink into the floor.
There she was. Hermione Granger. How could he possibly take this class when she, the living reminder of all of his mistakes, was partaking in it as well? How could one's mind be spinning and blank at the same time? It could; he could feel it right in this very moment. Images of her on the floor in Malfoy manner, his aunt on top of her, carving a slur into her skin. He remembered a time in his second year of school, on the quidditch patch, the first time he called her a mud-. "Don't even think that word again!" he whispered to himself. The thoughts and memories where flashing through his head, he could not hold on to a single one but still feel the weight of all of them.
Was it even possible to apologise to her at this point? Had he to? Could he just pretend that he wasn't himself and nothing he did and said ever happened?
Hermione was still staring at Draco. She was sitting up straight as a tower (a muggle tower that had to care about physics at that) and fixated her eyes on the young man across the room. Why was he here? Draco Malfoy had dared to return to Hogwarts! The person who was responsible for the defeat of the institution just one year ago. The person who had repaired the vanishing cabinet in order to allow death eaters to enter the castle. She was speechless and overwhelmed.
Why was he allowed back? Why he of all people?
Her maddening train of thought was interrupted by even more students getting into the potions classroom, taking their seats and chatting about. Soon their professor came out of the woodwork and started the lesion.
"Listen everybody! I am aware that this is way below all of your skill levels, but today we a brewing a giggle potion! These latest times have just been so incredibly serious and for that reason we are starting the New Year on a funny note. Does this sound good?" The professor seemed excited and walked up and down the classroom as he held his little speech about loosening up, allowing yourself to have fun, forgiving, and letting this last year rest in order to find a new light-hearted approach to life. Both Hermione and Draco's immediate reaction to that sentiment was ridicule. Why should they spend their time with anything other than the most pressing academic goals? But, if they wanted to admit it or not, the professor's speech was comforting, and in a way it gave each of them a speck of hope to manage this year without going insane.
…
"You don't say that bloke is back?!"
"He is. I presume he wants his degree in order to work at the ministry."
"Rubbish! You don't need a degree to work there! Harry's got himself a post as an auror without a stupid degree."
"Well then I do not know why he is there…"
"Probably plotting something that bloody bastard!"
"I honestly don't think so Ron. He seemed very mellow. Ashamed even… I suppose he just came back because he does not know where else to go."
"Could be. I bloody hope it is like that. If the goon ever say's a damn word to you, tell me and I will fold that thin mint of a boy in half!"
Ron and Hermione both laughed. Then Ron had to give his attention to a young boy who seemed to be particularly interested in the love potions and Hermione let her gaze drift around the shop. The Weaslys joke shop was a curios place. It constantly smelled like fireworks and sugar, there was a hum in the air and in the corner of one's eye there was always something moving. When you turned, it was gone – no motion – but if you just relaxed your eyes and let them ponder over the shelves and hallways, there was a constant intricate movement about the place. Like the air had been bewitched to dance.
It was a Saturday and Hermione, as one of the students who were of age, had gone down to Hogsmeade to visit one of her best friend Ron. The two of them had been through a lot, but it would take way too long to explain all of it. He was, as of now, her support system. Her other best friend Harry was merlin knows where, fighting of dark wizards as an auror.
"I'm going back to the castle. It is getting dark and I'd like to go to bed early." She told Ron and waved as she left the magical joke shop. The doorbell whistled "Bye, Mione" as she got out on the street and set course, straight back to the castle.